Methods, systems, and devices for multi-user treatment for improvement of reading comprehension using frequency altered feedback

ABSTRACT

Multi-user portable electronic devices for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects are provided. The multi-user portable electronic devices may include a pitch shifter circuit configured to generate frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signals corresponding to respective auditory speech signals received from respective active microphones, and to transmit the respective FAF signals to the plurality of subjects while one or more of the plurality of subjects are respectively reading aloud, to improve the plurality of subjects&#39; reading ability and/or comprehension. The multi-user portable electronic devices may also include a switch configured to activate the microphones selectively, serially. Related methods and systems are also described.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/748,565, filed on Jan. 3,2013, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR MULTI-USER IMPROVEMENTOF READING COMPREHENSION USING FREQUENCY ALTERED FEEDBACK, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to methods, systems, and devices forimproving reading ability/comprehension.

BACKGROUND

Many children and adults suffer from reading disorders. For example, astudent may have a reading ability (e.g., reading comprehension) levelbelow that of typical students in his or her grade. Treatments thatattempt to increase reading ability levels and comprehension may beexpensive and/or strenuous. Accordingly, there remains a need foreffectively and efficiently improving reading ability and comprehension.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of thisdisclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Various embodiments of the present inventive concepts include methodsfor improving reading ability (and/or comprehension) for at least one,typically a plurality of subjects. The methods may include providing aportable device in communication with a plurality of differentmicrophones. The methods may include electronically activating a firstmicrophone associated with a first subject using the portable device.The methods may include electronically receiving an auditory speechsignal of the first subject using the first microphone. The methods mayinclude electronically altering the received auditory speech signal togenerate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF)signal. The methods may include electronically administering the firstFAF signal to the first subject while the first subject is speaking, toimprove the first subjects reading ability (and/or comprehension). Then,the methods may include electronically activating a second microphoneassociated with a second subject using the portable device. The methodsmay include electronically receiving an auditory speech signal of thesecond subject using the second microphone. The methods may includeelectronically altering the received auditory speech signal of thesecond subject to generate a second FAF signal. The methods may includeelectronically administering the second FAF signal to the second subjectwhile the second subject is speaking, to improve the second subjectsreading ability (and/or comprehension).

According to various embodiments, electronically administering the firstFAF signal to the first subject may be carried out to electronicallyadminister the first FAF signal concurrently to the first and secondsubjects while the first subject is speaking to thereby improve thefirst and second subjects' reading ability (and/or comprehension).

Various embodiments of the present inventive concepts include methodsfor improving reading comprehension of one or more subjects. The methodsinclude: (a) providing a portable device in communication with aplurality of different microphones; (b) electronically activating afirst microphone associated with a first subject; (c) electronicallyreceiving an auditory speech signal of the first subject using the firstmicrophone; (d) electronically altering the received auditory speechsignal to generate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback(FAF) signal; (e) electronically administering the first FAF signal to:(i) the first subject; (ii) at least one other subject; or (iii) thefirst subject and at least one other subject while the first subject isspeaking to improve reading comprehension of a respective subject.

The method may also include electronically activating a secondmicrophone associated with a second subject using the portable deviceand deactivating the first microphone; electronically receiving anauditory speech signal of the second subject using the secondmicrophone; electronically altering the received auditory speech signalof the second subject to generate a second FAF signal; andelectronically administering the second FAF signal to the first and/orsecond subject while the second subject is speaking, to improve arespective subject's reading comprehension.

The electronic administration of the first FAF signal to the firstsubject can be carried out to electronically administer the first FAFsignal concurrently to the first subject and at least one other subjectwhile the first subject is speaking to thereby improve the firstsubject's and the at least one other subjects' reading comprehension.

The electronic administration of the second FAF signal to the secondsubject can be carried out to electronically concurrently administer thesecond FAF signal to the first and second subjects while the secondsubject is speaking to thereby improve the first and second subjects'reading comprehension.

The first FAF signal can be electronically administered to at least oneother subject but not be administered to the first subject.

The first FAF signal can be generated by a reader reading aloud and thefirst FAF signal can be concurrently administered to a plurality ofsubjects but not the reader.

The activating steps can be carried out using an externally accessiblemanual switch on board the portable device.

The activating steps can be carried out using a remote input associatedwith a display that is in communication with the portable device.

The electronic activation of the second microphone can be carried out tosubstantially concurrently deactivate the first microphone correspondingto the first subject.

The electronic alteration of the received auditory speech signal of thefirst subject can include: electronically converting the received analogauditory speech signal to a digital signal in a frequency domain;electronically altering the frequency of the digital signal within arange of +/−2 octaves; then electronically converting the altereddigital signal back to a time domain and into an analog signal togenerate the first FAF signal that is electronically administered to thefirst subject.

The portable device can be configured as a multi-user portableelectronic device. At least one of the steps of electronicallyconverting the received analog signal, electronically altering thedigital signal, and electronically converting the altered digital signalcan be at least partially carried out using circuitry in the multi-userportable electronic device.

The multi-user portable electronic device can includes a wireless devicethat is remote from a headset worn by the first subject.

The multi-user portable electronic device can include a wired devicethat is remote from a headset worn by the first subject.

The first microphone can correspond to (e.g., be held by) a headset wornby the first subject.

The steps of electronically administering can be carried out astherapeutic treatment to improve the first and at least one othersubjects' reading comprehension and each of the first and at least oneother subject has a reading disorder.

The method may include programmably adjusting a frequency shift for thestep of electronically altering the received auditory speech signal togenerate the first FAF signal using an electronic device that includes adisplay.

The first subject and/or at least one other subject can be a pre-school,primary school, elementary school, middle school, or high school agestudent.

The methods can be carried out in a school setting.

The first subject or at least one other subject can be a collegestudent.

The first subject can be an adult with a reading disorder.

Other embodiments are directed to systems for improving readingcomprehension. The systems can include: (a) a first headset with amicrophone; (b) at least one other headset in communication with thefirst headset, directly or indirectly; and (c) a portable electronicdevice configured to electronically communicate with the firstmicrophone to generate a first frequency altered auditory speechfeedback (FAF) signal associated with an auditory speech signal receivedby the first microphone and transmit the first FAF signal either (i)only to at least one other headset of respective subjects or (ii) to thefirst headset and at least one other headset of respective subjects,while the first subject is reading aloud to thereby improve readingcomprehension of at least one subject.

The at least one other headset can include a second headset with arespective microphone. The system can be configured to selectively,serially generate (i) the first frequency altered auditory speechfeedback (FAF) signal associated with an auditory speech signal receivedby the first microphone while a first subject with the first headset isreading aloud and (ii) a second FAF signal associated with an auditoryspeech signal received by the second headset microphone associated witha second subject when the second subject is reading aloud. The first FAFsignal can be concurrently transmitted to both the first and secondheadsets of the first and second subjects when the first subject isreading aloud. The second FAF signal can be concurrently transmitted toboth the first and second headsets when the second subject is readingaloud so that the first and second subjects each concurrently, seriallyreceive both the first and second FAF signals to thereby improve thefirst and second subjects' reading comprehension.

The system can be configured so that the first FAF signal of the firstheadset is transmitted concurrently to a plurality of other headsetsworn by a respective plurality of subjects while a user of the firstheadset reads aloud.

The first FAF signal can be generated using speech signal of a userreading aloud and wearing the first headset. The first FAF signal maynot be transmitted to the first headset.

The portable electronic device can be remote from the headsets and canwirelessly communicate with the first microphone to generate the firstFAF signal to shift frequency a desired amount within a range of between+/−2 octaves.

The portable electronic device can be or include a device that isreleasably wired to the headsets to generate the FAF signals to shift arespective FAF signal a desired amount within a range of between +/−2octaves.

The system can be configured to treat at least one school age studentwith a reading disability, to improve reading comprehension.

The system can be configured to treat an adult with a readingdisability, to improve reading comprehension.

Still other embodiments are directed to multi-user portable electronicdevices for improving reading comprehension for a plurality of subjects.The devices include a pitch shifter circuit configured to generatefrequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signals correspondingto respective auditory speech signals received from an active microphonewhile a user in communication with the microphone is reading aloud, andto concurrently transmit the respective FAF signals to a plurality ofheadsets of subjects to improve the plurality of subjects' readingcomprehension.

The device can include a switch in communication with the circuitconfigured selectively, serially activate different microphones ofdifferent headsets.

Each of the plurality of headsets of subjects can concurrently, seriallyreceives FAF signals from different subjects reading aloud.

The device can be configured to generate the FAF signals using a firstheadset holding the active microphone while a user wears the firstheadset and transmit the FAF signals to the plurality of subjects butnot to the first headset.

The device can include a headset interface configured to transmit theauditory speech signals from the active microphone and/or to transmitthe FAF signals to headsets; and a data interface configured tocommunicate with an electronic device that includes a display and asoftware application that manages the multi-user portable electronicdevice.

The software application can be configured to open when the softwareapplication detects that the multi-user portable electronic device isconnected to the electronic device that includes the softwareapplication.

The software application can include a graphical user interface that isconfigured to allow a user to selectively start and/or stop processingof the auditory speech signals, and/or adjust volume levels of theauditory speech signals and/or the FAF signals.

The data interface can include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

The electronic device that includes the display and the softwareapplication can include one or more of a desktop, laptop, tablet,netbook, or notebook computer, or a smart phone.

The software application can be in removable media and/or can be storedin a non-transitory memory of the desktop, laptop, tablet, netbook,notebook computer, or smart phone.

The software application can be configured to track the FAF signals andto generate charts and/or graphs on the display to illustrate readingcomprehension progress of the plurality of subjects.

The software application can provide programmable selection and/oradjustment of the FAF signals.

The device can include a non-volatile memory in communication with thecircuit and/or device, wherein the multi-user portable electronic deviceis fully functional only in response to cooperation between the softwareapplication and a license file stored in the non-volatile memory.

The license file can correspond to a license that expires, such that themulti-user portable electronic device can be deactivated or isconfigured to be fully functional only before the license expires.

The headset interface can include a plurality of headset portsconfigured to connect the multi-user portable electronic device with aplurality of different headsets.

The headset ports can be configured to receive the auditory speechsignals from respective microphones and to concurrently transmit the FAFsignals from one subject reading aloud to earphones of the respectiveheadsets of each subject.

The device can include a visual indicator of the activated microphone.

The device can have a portable housing. The visual indicator can includeLight Emitting Diodes (LEDs) held by the housing that seriallyilluminate to indicate which microphone is active.

The device can include a digital-to-analog converter configured toconvert digital audio signals generated by the software applicationand/or the multi-user portable electronic device into analog audiosignals to be transmitted to the headsets. The analog audio signalsinclude the FAF signals.

The device can include an on-board microphone biasing and inputamplifier circuit configured to process the auditory speech signalsreceived from the active microphone.

The device can include an on-board headset amplifier circuit configuredto amplify the FAF signals that are to be transmitted to the headsets.

In various embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic devices mayinclude an on-board microphone biasing and input amplifier circuitconfigured to process the auditory speech signals received from theheadsets.

According to various embodiments, the multi-user portable electronicdevices may include an on-board headset amplifier circuit configured toamplify the FAF signals that are to be transmitted to the headsets.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to oneembodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although notspecifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/orfeatures of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/orcombination. Applicants reserve the right to change any originally filedclaim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be ableto amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporateany feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in thatmanner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present inventionare explained in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification,illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. The drawingsand description together serve to fully explain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 1A-1E are schematic illustrations of exemplary systems forimproving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality ofsubjects, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1F is a top perspective view of a system for improving readingability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects, according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 1G is a block diagram that illustrates details of an exemplaryprocessor and memory that may be used in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 1H-1J are block diagrams that illustrate displays of electronicdevices of the systems of any or all of FIGS. 1A-1E, according tovarious embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of circuitry ofa multi-user portable electronic device of the systems of any or all ofFIGS. 1A-1J, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3A-3D are flowcharts illustrating exemplary operations of reading(comprehension) improvement systems, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4D provide images of different views/angles of a multi-userportable electronic device, according to various embodiments. Inparticular, FIG. 4A is a top side perspective view of a multi-userportable electronic device. FIG. 4B is a top view of the device shown inFIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 4A, and FIG.4D is an opposing end view of the device shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts now will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventiveconcepts may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventiveconcepts to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like designationsrefer to like elements. Moreover, certain features, components, layersand/or regions in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected,” “coupled,” or “responsive” to another element, it can bedirectly connected, coupled or responsive to the other element orintervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected,”“coupled,” or “responsive” as used herein may include wirelesslyconnected, coupled, or responsive.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventiveconcepts. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly statedotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,”“comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. The symbol “/” is also used as a shorthandnotation for “and/or.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which these inventive concepts belong.It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealizedor overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It will also be understood that although the terms “first” and “second”may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another element. Thus, a first element could be termeda second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a firstelement without departing from the teachings of the present inventiveconcepts.

The term “about” means that the recited number or value can vary by+/−20%. Moreover, the term “FAF signal” refers to an auditory speechsignal that is generated in response to a person speaking (e.g., readingaloud) and that has been shifted in frequency/pitch and provided as analtered feed auditory speech signal to that person or to another personor to both that person and another person. The FAF signal may stimulatemechanisms in the receiving person's brain to improve readingcomprehension.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be embodied assystems, methods, and multi-user (portable) electronic devices.Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may beembodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, residentsoftware, micro-code, flash or thumb drives, memory sticks, CDs or othermedia, etc.). Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention may take the form of a computer program product comprising acomputer-usable or computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the mediumfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In thecontext of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable mediummay be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, or transport theprogram or portions thereof for use by or in connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The term “APP” refers to a computer program configured to providedefined functionality associated with the FAF system on a computer witha display, typically via an icon on the display, including pervasivecomputing devices such as an electronic notebook or notepad, smartphone, lap top, and the like.

The terms “web-based” and “online” mean that the service is availableusing the World Wide Web (Internet), typically via least one server tocommunicate with different users. The communication protocol can includehypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

The FAF treatment system can be provided using cloud computing whichincludes the provision of computational resources on demand via acomputer network. The resources can be embodied as variousinfrastructure services (e.g., compute, storage, etc.) as well asapplications, databases, file services, email, etc. In the traditionalmodel of computing, both data and software are typically fully containedon the user's computer; in cloud computing, the user's computer maycontain little software or data (perhaps an operating system and/or webbrowser), and may serve as little more than a display terminal forprocesses occurring on a network of external computers. A cloudcomputing service (or an aggregation of multiple cloud resources) may begenerally referred to as the “Cloud”. Cloud storage may include a modelof networked computer data storage where data is stored on multiplevirtual servers, rather than being hosted on one or more dedicatedservers.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example butnot limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium wouldinclude the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM) or other portable media with memory such as amemory stick or thumb drive. Note that the computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable mediumupon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronicallycaptured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or othermedium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitablemanner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein withreference to flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations. It will beunderstood that each block of the flowchart and/or block diagramillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram illustrations, may be implemented by computer programinstructions and/or hardware operations. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means and/or circuits for implementingthe functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerusable or computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable orcomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions that implement the functions specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Other systems and/or methods according to embodiments of the inventionwill be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review ofthe following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that allsuch additional systems, methods, and/or devices be included within thisdescription, be within the scope of the present invention, and beprotected by the accompanying claims.

A. Systems for Improving Reading Ability/Comprehension for One or aPlurality of Subjects

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a schematic illustration is provided of asystem 10 for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for aplurality of subjects. The subjects may include users, patients, and/orstudents, among other users of the system 10. As shown, the system 10may include a multi-user portable electronic device 100, a plurality ofheadsets H₁-H₄, and an electronic device 120 that includes a display122. The headsets H₁-H₄ may be worn by respective subjects while one ormore of the subjects are reading aloud. In particular, the multi-userportable electronic device 100 may be configured to receive a speechsignal from one of the subjects, generate a frequency altered auditoryspeech feedback (FAF) signal based on the speech signal, and transmitthe FAF signal to one, some or all of the respective headsets H₁-H₄ ofthe subjects, while one of the subjects is reading aloud, to improveone, some or all of the subjects' reading ability and/or comprehension.

One, some or all of the headsets H₁-H₄ may include respectivemicrophones 50 (50 ₁, 50 ₂, 50 ₃, and 50 ₄, respectively) configured toprovide speech signals (e.g., auditory speech signals) to the multi-userportable electronic device 100. The headsets H₁-H₄ may each include oneor two earphones 40 (shown as two) configured to provide FAF signalsand/or other audio signals from the multi-user portable electronicdevice 100 to one, some or all of the subjects. The multi-user portableelectronic device 100 may be remote from the headsets H₁-H₄, and thesame multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be used by all of theheadsets H₁-H₄.

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include a switch 101configured to select (e.g., activate) a particular microphone 50 (i.e.,one of the microphones 50 ₁, 50 ₂, 50 ₃, or 50 ₄) corresponding to oneof the headsets H₁-H₄. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 mayinclude respective visual indicators V₁-V₄ configured to indicate that aparticular microphone 50 is active. The visual indicators V₁-V₄ mayinclude, for example, lights such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).Moreover, it will be understood that a headset H described herein shallrefer to any one of the headsets H₁-H₄, and that a visual indicator Vdescribed herein shall refer to any one of the visual indicators V₁-V₄.

The switch 101 can have an external user interface (e.g., a knob, dial,or the like, or a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on a display) on anouter surface of the multi-user portable electronic device 100. Theswitch 101 may have the same number of positions (e.g., four (4)) as thenumber of subjects/headsets H₁-H₄. Accordingly, a person supervising thesubjects undergoing treatment may be able to select a microphone 50corresponding to one of the headsets H₁-H₄ by manually/physicallymanipulating the switch 101 to a particular one of the positions. Theperson supervising the subjects may generally be referred to as a “user”or “reading supervisor” and may be a teacher, teacher assistant,language or learning disability professional, therapist, parent, schoolvolunteer etc. In particular, the switch 101 may be a knob that a usermay physically rotate to select a microphone 50 of a particular headsetH.

Additionally or alternatively, the multi-user portable electronic device100 may include microphone switching circuitry 101 c in the multi-userportable electronic device 100 that may be controlled by the user viathe electronic device 120 that has the display 122. The display 122 canpresent a GUI with a touch screen selection or mouse/cursor selection ofdifferent microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄. For example, the user may select (e.g.,touch or click) icons or other boxes or buttons labeled one (1) throughfour (4) displayed on the display 122 to operate the switching circuitry101 c. The system 10 can also switch between different microphones 50₁-50 ₄ at defined time intervals. As such, in some embodiments, the usermay activate a microphone 50 of a particular headset H withoutphysically touching the manual switch 101. Indeed, the on-board externalswitch 101 is not required in some embodiments.

As described herein, a visual indicator V may indicate that acorresponding headset H is selected by the switch 101/switchingcircuitry 101 c. In particular, a visual indicator V indicates that amicrophone 50 of a corresponding headset H is active (e.g., may transmitsignals to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/orearphones 40 of the headsets H₁-H₄). As an example, if the switch101/switching circuitry 101 c changes from making the first headset H₁microphone active to making the microphone of the second headset H₂active, then the second visual indicator V₂ can reflect this changevisually. The visual indicators V₁-V₄ may be visuallynoticeable/sufficiently bright that a user working with the subjects cansee the visual indicators V₁-V₄ from a suitable distance such as 1′-5′,or greater, across a table/room where the subjects are seated. Forexample, an LED corresponding to the first headset H₁ may light up ifthe switch 101/switching circuitry 101 c selects the first headset H₁,and an LED corresponding to the second headset H₂ may light up if theswitch 101/switching circuitry 101 c selects the second headset H₂. Thevisual indicators V₁-V₄ may also or alternatively be on the headsetsH₁-H₄ themselves.

Moreover, it will be understood that using the switch 101/switchingcircuitry 101 c to switch from selecting the first headset H₁ toselecting the second headset H₂ may deactivate transmissions from themicrophone 50 ₁ of the first headset H₁ to the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 and/or to earphones 40 of the headsets H₁-H₄. Insome embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 isconfigured so that only one microphone 50 is active at any one time, butthe FAF signal generated by the selected/activated headset H/microphone50 and the multi-user portable electronic device 100 can be transmittedconcurrently to all of the headsets H₁-H₄.

The electronic device 120 having the display 122 may include a computer,television, and/or mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone), among otherdevices. It will be understood that a computer may include a desktop,laptop, netbook, tablet computer, and the like. The electronic device120 having the display 122 may be configured to communicate with themulti-user portable electronic device 100, and may allow programmableselection and/or adjustment of FAF signals. For example, the electronicdevice 120 may include a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, mouse, etc. forselecting/adjusting FAF signals in conjunction with an application(e.g., a software application) displayed on the display 122.

The electronic device 120 having the display 122 may communicate withthe multi-user portable electronic device 100 via a data interface 121.The data interface 121 may be a wired and/or wireless interface. Forexample, the data interface 121 may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB)port and USB cable, a Bluetooth interface, a Wi-Fi interface, and/or thelike.

Similarly, the headsets H₁-H₄ may communicate with the multi-userportable electronic device 100 via respective wired and/or wirelessheadset interfaces 111 (111 ₁, 111 ₂, 111 ₃, and 111 ₄, respectively).For example, the first headset H₁ may releasably connect to an audioport of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via a cable thatcan be released from the audio port. The cable may be configured totransmit auditory speech signals from a subject to the multi-userportable electronic device 100, and to receive FAF signals and/or otheraudio signals from the multi-user portable electronic device 100.

As will be discussed below, in some embodiments, the data interface 121may be onboard a computer 120 and used without requiring the portabledevice 100. The data interface 121 (and/or headset interfaces 111) forgenerating and/or transmitting the FAF signal may be accessed using anAPP on a display. The APP may also or alternatively be configured tocontrol the device 100, where used. The communication with the headsetsand/or microphones of users or target subjects for treatment can bewired or wireless.

Although the first headset H₁ is illustrated in FIG. 1A as beingconnected to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via a headsetinterface 111 ₁ that includes a cable, one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄may additionally or alternatively be configured to connect to themulti-user portable electronic device 100 via a headset interface 111that includes a wireless interface such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or thelike. As an example, FIG. 1B illustrates that the headset interfaces 111₁ and 111 ₄ of the first and fourth headsets H₁ and H₄, respectively,are wireless interfaces, and that the headset interfaces 111 ₂ and 111 ₃of the second and third headsets H₂ and H₃, respectively, are wiredinterfaces.

Moreover, although a headset H may be a single unit that includes amicrophone 50 and one or two earphones 40, it will be understood that asubject's microphone 50 and earphone(s) 40 may be separate (e.g.,discrete) devices. For example, a subject may wear an earphone 40in/on/near his or her ear and speak into a microphone 50 that is notphysically connected to the earphone 40. As an example, the microphone50 may be included in the multi-user portable electronic device 100 orthe electronic device 120 that includes the display 122. As anotherexample, the microphone 50 may be a discrete microphone that the userholds in his or her hands or rests on a table or floor. In otherembodiments, the headset H can be an ear-supported device (e.g., anin-the-ear device or an over/around-the-ear device rather than anover-the-head device or a behind-the-neck device), such as the fourthheadset H₄ illustrated in FIG. 1B. As such, the term “headset” is usedbroadly herein to refer to all configurations that transmit the FAFsignal to the respective user ear(s) of a subject undergoing treatment,typically for improving reading comprehension.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, the multi-user portable electronic device 100may be partially or totally integrated on/within one or more of theheadsets H₁-H₄ and/or the electronic device 120. As an example, theheadsets H₁-H₄ may be wireless headsets, and the first wireless headsetH₁ may include the multi-user portable electronic device 100, which maygenerate/administer a FAF signal for/to the first wireless headset H₁and/or the wireless headsets H₂-H₄. Additionally or alternatively, theelectronic device 120 may include the multi-user portable electronicdevice 100, which may generate/administer a FAF signal for/to one ormore of the headsets H₁-H₄ (either wirelessly or through a wiredinterface). The numbers of headsets H that can concurrently receive anFAF signal is not limited to four, five or six. It is contemplated thatsystems can be configured to concurrently send FAF signals to betweenabout 1-100 target subjects, typically between about 2-50 subjects,e.g., between about 2-20 or 3-10 subjects, and all typically in a commonroom. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 may be embodied in circuitry integrated on/withinone or more of the headsets H₁-H₄ and/or the electronic device 120,rather than being a discrete device that is spaced apart from theheadsets H₁-H₄ and the electronic device 120. Such embodiments mayreduce the amount of space, circuitry, and/or wires used by a system forimproving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality ofsubjects.

Referring now to FIG. 1D, the system 10 can be used in a classroom forone or more student subjects. When used in the classroom, typically notall students will require headsets H. Thus, the system 10 can be used ina classroom setting so that some students have headsets H and others donot (the latter for those subjects having normal or above grade levelreading skills or not requiring reading therapy). As shown, a user suchas a teacher, teacher assistant, parent, student helper other volunteer,can read aloud into a microphone 50. The microphone 50 may be held on aheadset H₁ but is not required to be so held. The system 10 receives thereader's speech signal and uses that speech signal to generate the FAFsignal that is concurrently transmitted to one or more headsets H ofsubjects in the classroom or other location. The FAF signal is typicallynot transmitted back to the teacher or other “lead” reader.

The system 10 can be configured so that the reader's speech signal iswirelessly transmitted as an FAF signal to one or a plurality ofdifferent students concurrently, typically via respective headsets H.The number of students may vary, but it is contemplated that the system10 can accommodate between about 1-100 different students, moretypically between about 2-50, 2-20 or 3-31 different students,concurrently undergoing reading therapy using the FAF input. Thesestudent headsets may exclude microphones. The students may be followingalong the words of a book or other document being read aloud by thereader via a large single display 131, via a smaller, e.g., shared or“personal” display (not shown) or via a paper book. The system 10 can beconfigured so that text currently being read is highlighted on thescreen. The system 10 can be configured to automatically “turn the page”on the display of a student subject when a reader turns the page of anelectronic or physical book. The latter may be carried out using voicerecognition, for example.

As the reader's headset H₁ may be configured so as to not transmit theFAF signal to the reader, no earphone or earpiece to output the FAFsignal back to the reader is required. The FAF circuit can be heldlocally or remotely. The FAF circuit with data interface 121 and/orheadset interfaces 111 can be partially or totally on the reader'sheadset H₁, on the computer 120, or on the user's headsets H₂-H₃ ordistributed between more than one component.

FIG. 1E illustrates a system 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 1D. Inthis embodiment, the system 10 includes the FAF interface device 100which may have amplifiers to be able to generate and deliver theconcurrent FAF signals to the different users. The interface device canreceive the reader's speech signal and generate the FAF signals. Thereader can have a device with a microphone 50 and communication circuitthat can wirelessly, or via cabling, communicate with the interfacedevice 100 to transmit the speech signal for FAF output to headsets H ofthe student users. The interface device 100 can optionally communicatewith a computer 200 (“computer” is used broadly to include any devicewith a computer/processor including, for example, smart phones,netbooks, notebooks or pads, laptops and the like) to control orfacilitate operation of the system/FAF output.

Referring now to FIG. 1HF, two subjects are illustrated wearing thefirst and third headsets H₁ and H₃, respectively. As described herein, aplurality of subjects may take turns reading aloud using the multi-userportable electronic device 100 and the microphones 50 that areselectively, serially activated (e.g., one at a time). For example, thesubject wearing the first headset H₁ may read aloud into the firstmicrophone 50 ₁ of the first headset H₁. The multi-user portableelectronic device 100 may responsively administer a FAF signal generatedusing the speech signal associated with the first microphone 50 ₁ to thefirst headset H₁ and/or the third headset H₃, and may thereby stimulatephonological processing brain mechanisms in one or both of the subjects.

FIG. 1H is a block diagram that illustrates details of an exemplaryprocessor 104 and memory 103 that may be used in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1H illustratesan exemplary processor 104 and memory 103 of an electronic device 120,according to some embodiments of the present invention. The processor104 communicates with the memory 103 via an address/data bus 130. Theprocessor 104 may be, for example, a commercially available or custommicroprocessor. Moreover, it will be understood that the processor 104may include multiple processors. The memory 103 is representative of theoverall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and dataused to implement various functions of the electronic device 120 asdescribed herein. The memory 103 may include, but is not limited to, thefollowing types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash,SRAM, and DRAM.

As shown in FIG. 1H, the memory 103 may hold various categories ofsoftware and data, such as an operating system 132 and/or a softwareapplication 200. The operating system 132 controls operations of theelectronic device 120. In particular, the operating system 132 maymanage the resources of the electronic device 120 and may coordinateexecution of various programs (e.g., the software application 200) bythe processor 104.

B. FAF Signals

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a multi-userportable electronic device 100 described herein may administer (e.g.,generate and/or deliver) a FAF signal to one or more subjectscorresponding to one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄. In particular, a FAFsignal may be delivered to a subject, proximate in time to when that thesubject or another user is talking or speaking, to improve the subject'sreading ability and/or comprehension. The terms “talking” and “speaking”are used interchangeably herein and include verbal expressions of voice,whether talking, speaking, whispering, singing, yelling, and whether toothers or to oneself. In some embodiments, improving the subject'sreading ability and/or comprehension may include reducing a readingdisorder (e.g., disability or impairment) of the subject.

For example, a reading disorder may be diagnosed by standardized teststhat establish that an individual subject is below an age level readingexpectation, such as, but not limited to, the Stanford DiagnosticReading Test. (See Carlson et al., Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test (NY,Harcourt Brace Javanovich, 1976).) A reading disorder may also beindicated by a comparison to the average ability of individuals ofsimilar age. Moreover, a relative decline in a subject's own readingability and/or comprehension may be used to establish the presence of areading disorder.

A subject to be treated may be a child with a reduced reading abilityand/or comprehension relative to an age level reading expectation basedon a standardized diagnostic test. The child may be of pre-school ageand/or primary/elementary/middle school age (e.g., grades K-8).Alternatively, a subject may be a teenager and/or high school student,an adult (e.g., of university student age or older), or an elderlyperson such as a senior citizen (e.g., greater than age 55, andtypically greater than about age 62).

In some embodiments, a FAF signal may be provided by digital signalprocessing technology that provides programmably selectable operatingparameters that can be customized to the needs of a subject and adjustedat desired intervals such as monthly, quarterly, annually, and the like,typically by a supervising adult, clinician, physician, or other userevaluating the subject. For example, referring now to FIG. 1H,programmably selectable and/or adjustable operating parameters mayinclude +/− shifts in FAF (typically in about 500 Hertz (Hz)-200 Hzincrements), linear gain control (such as about four 5-decibel (dB) stepsize increments), independent or individually adjustable “n” band gaincontrols (where n can be between about 2-20 bands with centerfrequencies ranging from 250-7000 Hz with 20 dB gain control settings).

As illustrated in FIG. 1H, FAF signals may be adjustable via theelectronic device 120 by selecting a desired frequency displayed on thedisplay 122. The frequency adjustment can be adjustable by desired Hertzincrements and decrements and may be shifted up or down, or turned off.Octave adjustments may alternatively be generated and selectable. Itwill be understood, however, that in some embodiments, adjustment of FAFsignals by an end user of the electronic device 120 may belimited/prevented. For example, adjustment of FAF signals may beperformed responsive to pre-programmed functions/algorithms and/orsubsequently installed updates of the software application 200 ratherthan by GUI-based adjustments by an end user of the electronic device120.

Referring now to FIG. 1I, a FAF frequency shift or adjustment can be anydesired shift, but is typically within about +/−2 octaves from thefrequency of the detected auditory speech signal of a subject. In someembodiments, the frequency may be adjusted at least about +/−⅛ of anoctave, and typically the frequency can be adjusted at least about +/−¼of an octave from the detected auditory signal. According to someembodiments, the FAF signal can be adjusted so as to provide a frequencyshift of at least about +/−½ of an octave. Alternatively, the frequencyshift may be about +/−¾ to 1 octave. Other shifts, or multiples thereof,and/or different increments of octave shift, may be employed.

Moreover, it will be understood that a user may programmably adjust afrequency/octave shift as described herein using the electronic device120 that includes the display 122. For example, the user may move aslider 123 of a GUI presented by the display 122 to produce a desiredoctave shift. In another example, the user may type or speak a numbercorresponding to the desired octave shift, or may touch/click on abutton within a GUI presented by the display 122 corresponding to thedesired octave shift. Although the user may select a precise amount ofoctave shift in some embodiments, the user may in other embodimentssimply choose to increase or decrease the octave shift withoutexplicitly selecting the amount of shift.

A frequency shift, measured in Hertz, will typically be dependent uponthe input signal. For example, for a 500 Hz input signal, a one octaveshift is about 1000 Hz. Similarly, a one octave shift of a 1000 Hz inputsignal is about 2000 Hz. The adjustment may be customized based on oneor more of the particular reading disorder of the subject and/or thesubject's response to a plurality of different “test” FAF settingsduring a set-up evaluation. Moreover, the frequency adjustment may bealtered over time upon periodic evaluations. Additionally oralternatively, the frequency adjustment may be set to be automaticallyadjusted in frequency shift increments and/or decrements at desiredintervals or upon a trigger from a user using the electronic device 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 1J, a user may select among the differentmicrophones 50 ₁-50 ₄ by using the electronic device 120 that includesthe display 122. For example, the first microphone 50 ₁ is indicated inFIG. 1J by the broken line around the number “1” on the display 122 asbeing the currently-selected microphone. The user may switch toreceiving auditory speech signals from a different one of themicrophones 50 ₁-50 ₄, however, by selecting a different one of thecorresponding numbers 1-4 via a GUI of the electronic device 120.

FIG. 1J further illustrates that a GUI of the electronic device 120 mayadditionally or alternatively include a start and/or stop button thatcontrols starting and/or stopping of processing of auditory speechsignals by the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or theelectronic device 120. In other words, the start/stop button(s) maycontrol receipt of the auditory speech signals from the microphones 50₁-50 ₄ and/or responsive generation of FAF signals. In some embodiments,the GUI may illustrate a status (e.g., “processing auditory speechsignals,” “idle,” “stopped,” “processing completed,” etc.) of themulti-user portable electronic device 100. The status may optionallyinclude an indication of how long (e.g., 59 seconds) that particularstatus has been ongoing.

Referring still to FIG. 1J, a GUI of the electronic device 120 mayinclude main volume controls (e.g., to adjust a volume level of a FAFsignal provided to one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄) and/or microphonevolume controls (e.g., to adjust a volume level of an auditory speechsignal received from a microphone 50). Moreover, in some embodiments, aGUI of the electronic device 120 may include a FAF Signal ProcessingOptions button, which may control access to signal processingoptions/controls such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1H and/or 1I.Alternatively, the signal processing options/controls may be included onthe same screen/menu as one or more of the features illustrated in FIG.1J. Furthermore, FIG. 1J illustrates a Finish/Done/Exit button thatcloses/minimizes the software application 200 that is being executed onor using the electronic device 120.

C. Circuitry of Exemplary Multi-User Portable Electronic Devices 100

Examples of circuitry of a multi-user portable electronic device 100 areillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D. For example, the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 may include circuitry configured to receive anauditory speech signal generated by a subject's speech. In one example,the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include an on-boardmicrophone biasing and input amplifier circuit (e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 2C) that is configured to process auditory speech signals receivedfrom one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄. Moreover, the auditory speechsignal may be an analog input signal of sound produced by a microphoneof a headset H. An Analog-to-Digital converter of the multi-userportable electronic device 100 may then convert the analog input signalinto a digital input signal.

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include a pitchshifter circuit (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2D) that receives thedigital signal. The pitch shifter circuit may be configured to generatea FAF signal and to provide the FAF signal as an output that may then befed into a Digital-to-Analog (D/A) converter. The analog signal outputfrom the D/A converter may then be passed through a low pass filter(e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2D) to accurately reproduce the FAF of theoriginal signal. The earphone(s) 40 of the headset H may then recreate aFAF version of the subject's spoken words. Moreover, before a signal istransmitted from the multi-user portable device electronic device 100 tothe headsets H₁-H₄, the output of the low pass filter may be fed into anadjustable gain amplifier (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2B) to allow auser using the electronic device 120 including the display 122 to adjustthe output volume of the signal. In some embodiments, the adjustablegain amplifier may include on-board headphone amplifier circuitscorresponding to respective headsets H₁-H₄.

D. Software Applications 200 of Exemplary Electronic Devices 120 thatInclude the Display 122

The electronic device 120 that includes the display 122 may include thesoftware application 200, which may manage/control the multi-userportable electronic device 100. The software application 200 may bestored in a non-transitory memory of the electronic device 120 or heldin removable media, e.g., a memory stick, thumb drive or CD ROM.Additionally or alternatively, the software application 200 may beaccessed via a network interface of the electronic device 120. Thesoftware application 200 may be configured to start/open in response tothe electronic device 120 detecting that the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 is connected to the electronic device 120.

Referring back to FIG. 1J, the software application 200 may include aGUI that allows a user using the electronic device 120 to start and/orstop processing of the auditory speech signals, and/or to adjust volumelevels of the auditory speech signals and/or the FAF signals. Thesoftware application 200 may additionally or alternatively provideprogrammable selection and/or adjustment of the FAF signals. Moreover,referring back to FIG. 1I, the software application 200 may track (e.g.,using data capture features) the FAF signals and generate charts and/orgraphs on the display 122 to illustrate the reading ability and/orcomprehension progress of one or more of the plurality of subjects. Forexample, FIG. 1I illustrates that the display 122 may indicate the mostrecent FAF signal octave shift and/or a graph of one subject's (e.g., afirst subject's) reading ability and/or comprehension progress and/or achart of another subject's (e.g., a second subject's) reading abilityand/or comprehension progress.

In some embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic device 100and/or data interface 121 may include a non-volatile memory, which maystore a license file that is specific to the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 and/or the software application 200. The licensefile may be any file/key that is necessary for the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 and/or the software application 200 to generateFAF signals. Accordingly, the multi-user portable electronic device 100may be fully functional only in response to cooperation between thesoftware application 200 and the license file. For example, the licensefile may correspond to a license/subscription that expires after aparticular date or time period (e.g., 6 months or 1 year, etc.), suchthat the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be fullyfunctional only before the license/subscription expires. The licensefile may include a password or code. Additionally or alternatively,accessing the license file may require a user to provide a password orcode. In some embodiments, the license file can be remotely accessed toactivate/deactivate the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/orthe software application 200.

Using the license file with the multi-user portable electronic device100 as described herein may help to protect against misuse (e.g.,unauthorized use) of the software application 200 and/or the multi-userportable electronic device 100. In other words, the software application200 may be fully functional only in combination with a validlicense/subscription of the multi-user portable electronic device 100and/or the software application 200. Moreover, it will be understoodthat more than one license file may be stored in the multi-user portableelectronic device 100.

Referring back to FIG. 1G, the software application 200 may receive (a)the license file and/or (b) microphone switch inputs (e.g., signalsindicating that a user has switched between the microphones 50 using theswitch 101) from the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via theprocessor 104 of the electronic device 120. Additionally oralternatively, the processor 104 may transmit (c) FAF signals that havebeen adjusted using the software application 200, and/or (b) microphoneswitch inputs corresponding to a user's switching between themicrophones 50 using the software application 200, to the multi-userportable electronic device 100.

The following are examples of installing/starting the softwareapplication 200, along with examples of connecting headsets (which maybe the headsets H₁-H₄) and a computer (which may be the electronicdevice 120 having the display 122) to the multi-user portable electronicdevice 100. Although a Compact Disc (CD) is described, it will beunderstood that the software application 200 may be downloaded via theInternet or a local network, or installed from a flash drive or othermedia.

i. Software Application 200 Installation

The software application 200 needs to be installed before hardware(e.g., the multi-user portable electronic device 100) is connected tothe electronic device 120. Close all other applications and insert theCD (or e.g., memory stick, thumb drive or other device) with operatinginstructions/communication protocol for the device 100 in the electronicdevice 120's port. The installation process should begin automatically.If not, locate the files on the installation disk (e.g., using WindowsExplorer) and click on setup.exe. Be sure to select the folder that hasyour computer operating system (e.g., Windows XP, Windows 7, or an Appleor Linux/Unix operating system).

ii. Connecting Headsets H to the Multi-User Portable Electronic Device100

The headset package includes the headset H and two accessory cables 112,113 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4A). A user need only connect to theset with the green and pink connectors. Plug the headsets H into themulti-user portable electronic device 100 using the adaptor with thegreen and pink connectors.

iii. Connecting the Multi-User Portable Electronic Device 100 to theElectronic Device 120

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 is now ready to plug intoa USB port 121 on the electronic device 120. A display window shouldappear telling you that the electronic device 120 has found a newdevice. The front panel of the multi-user portable electronic device 100has four LEDs V₁-V₄ and one push button 101. By pushing and releasingthe button 101 the LEDs V₁-V₄ will light up sequentially. When an LED Vis on, it's indicating which of the four microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄ isactive.

iv. Starting the Software Application 200

The software application 200 will not open if the hardware (e.g., themulti-user portable electronic device 100) is not connected to theelectronic device 120. Once the software application 200 is open, youwill see a play/stop (or start/stop) button, main volume and microphonevolume controls, and a finish or “done” button. The play/stop buttonstarts and stops the processing. The main volume and microphone volumecontrols adjust the audio levels. The “done” button exits the program.You cannot exit while the software application 200 is processing. Theplay/stop button must indicate “stop.”

E. Operations for Improving Reading Comprehension for a Plurality ofSubjects

FIGS. 3A-3D provide flowcharts illustrating operations (e.g., methods,processes, etc.) for improving reading ability and/or comprehension fora plurality of subjects. Referring now to FIG. 3A, the operations mayinclude receiving, at the multi-user portable electronic device 100, anauditory speech signal of a first subject at a first frequency (Block301). For example, the first subject may be a person wearing a firstheadset H₁ and may speak into a microphone 50 ₁ of the first headset H₁to generate the auditory speech signal. The multi-user portableelectronic device 100 (e.g., using its pitch shifter circuit) and/or theelectronic device 120 including the display 122 may then electronicallyalter the first frequency of the received auditory speech signal togenerate a first FAF signal (Block 302). The multi-user portableelectronic device 100 may electronically administer the first FAF signalto the first subject while the first subject is speaking, and doing somay improve the first subject's reading ability and/or comprehension(Block 303). It is contemplated that a FAF signal may stimulate centralmechanisms in a subject's brain responsible for phonological processing,and such stimulation may improve the subject's reading ability and/orcomprehension. Specifically, a FAF signal may allow a subject to hearhis or her voice with a shift in pitch/frequency while reading.

After the multi-user portable electronic device 100 electronicallyadministers the first FAF signal to the first subject, a user using theelectronic device 120 and/or the display 122 may select a second subjectto speak (Block 304). For example, the user may manually operate theswitch 101, or may use an application displayed on the display 122 ofthe electronic device 120, to activate a microphone 50 ₂ of the secondheadset H₂ worn by the second subject. After the microphone 50 ₂ of thesecond subject is activated, the multi-user portable electronic device100 receives an auditory speech signal of the second subject at a secondfrequency (Block 305). The second frequency may be different from thefirst frequency of the first subject's auditory speech signal. Themulti-user portable electronic device 100 and/or the electronic device120 including the display 122 then electronically alters the secondfrequency of the received auditory speech signal to generate a secondFAF signal (Block 306). Next, the multi-user portable electronic device100 may electronically administer the second FAF signal to the secondsubject while the second subject is speaking, which may improve thesecond subject's reading ability and/or comprehension (Block 307). Inother words, each of the first and second subjects may have a readingdisorder, and administering the FAF signals may provide therapeutictreatment to improve the first and second subjects' reading abilities.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3B includes Blocks 301, 302, and 304-306of FIG. 3A, and further includes Blocks 303′ and 307′, which aremodifications of Blocks 303 and 307 of FIG. 3A, respectively. Inparticular, FIG. 3B illustrates that, in some embodiments, each of thesubjects connected to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 mayreceive each FAF signal, even FAF signals corresponding to auditoryspeech signals generated by other subjects. For example, electronicallyadministering the first FAF signal may include concurrentlyelectronically administering the first FAF signal to both of the firstand second subjects while the first subject is speaking (Block 303′). Inother words, the first subject wearing the first headset H₁ and secondsubject wearing the second headset H₂ may each hear the same FAF signalsubstantially simultaneously. Electronically administering the first FAFsignal to both of the first and second subjects may stimulatephonological processing brain mechanisms in both of the first and secondsubjects, and may thus improve both the first subject's reading abilityand/or comprehension and the second subject's reading ability and/orcomprehension.

Similarly, electronically administering the second FAF signal to thesecond subject may include concurrently electronically administering thesecond FAF signal to the first and second subjects while the secondsubject is speaking, which may improve both the first subject's readingability and/or comprehension and the second subject's reading abilityand/or comprehension (Block 307′). Moreover, although FIGS. 3A and 3Bonly indicate first and second subjects, it will be understood that ifthree or four subjects are connected to the multi-user portableelectronic device 100, then all three or all four subjects (e.g.,wearing corresponding headsets H₁-H₄) may concurrently receive every FAFsignal generated by the multi-user portable electronic device 100,regardless of which one of the subjects is speaking.

For example, referring now to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C includes Blocks 301, 302,and 304-306 of FIG. 3B, and further includes Blocks 303″ and 307″, whichare modifications of Blocks 303′ and 307′ of FIG. 3B, respectively. Inparticular, Blocks 303″ and 307″ of FIG. 3C illustrate that, in someembodiments, each of the FAF signals may be administered to foursubjects concurrently. However, a single user or more than four usersmay be accommodated at any one therapy session using the device.

Referring now to FIG. 3D, FIG. 3D includes Blocks 301 and 302 of FIG.3A, and further includes Blocks 303′″. The FAF signal is transmitted toone or more other subjects while the reader is reading aloud using thereaders speech signal but the FAF signal is not transmitted to thereader (Block 303′″).

Additionally or alternatively, the multi-user portable electronic device100 may provide auditory speech signals to each of the subjects beforethe multi-user portable electronic device 100 converts the auditoryspeech signals to FAF signals, regardless of which one of the subjectsis speaking.

As described herein, in some embodiments the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 may serially receive auditory speech signals froma plurality of subjects or from a reader that is not undergoingtreatment. The auditory speech signals may be received as analogsignals. For example, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 mayreceive an analog auditory speech signal from a subject at a particularfrequency. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may thenelectronically alter the particular frequency by: (a) electronicallyconverting the received analog auditory speech signal to a digitalsignal in a frequency domain; (b) electronically altering the frequencyof the digital signal within a range of +/−2 octaves; and (c)electronically converting the altered digital signal back to a timedomain and into an analog signal to generate a FAF signal that can beadministered to one or more subjects. Moreover, the FAF signal may begenerated and administered without any substantial (e.g., programmablydefined) delay.

F. Exemplary Operation of the Multi-User Portable Electronic Device 100

According to various embodiments described herein, a plurality ofsubjects may take turns reading aloud using the multi-user portableelectronic device 100 and the microphones 50 that are selectively,serially activated (e.g., one at a time). In particular, a subjectwearing a headset H may read aloud into a microphone 50 of the headsetH, and the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may responsivelyadminister a FAF signal to the headset H alone, to that headset andother headsets, or only to other headsets. In some embodiments, themulti-user portable electronic device 100 may administer the FAF signalof one subject to a plurality of the headsets H₁-H₄, and may therebystimulate phonological processing brain mechanisms in a plurality ofsubjects simultaneously. Accordingly, the multi-user portable electronicdevice 100 may improve the reading abilities of a plurality of subjectssimultaneously, even though only one of the subjects' microphone 50 isactive or will be active at a given time.

It is contemplated that the multi-user portable electronic device 100may improve the subjects' reading abilities by multiple grade levels(e.g., one to four grade levels) immediately (i.e., after a singleuse/reading session) or within a school year over multiple sessions.

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may therefore effectivelyand efficiently improve the reading abilities of a plurality ofsubjects. Additionally, where used, the portability of the multi-userportable electronic device 100, the high quality of the FAF signalsadministered by the multi-user portable electronic device 100, and thecombinability of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 with theelectronic device 120 including the display 122 may make the multi-userportable electronic device 100 relatively easy for a user to use withsubjects.

FIGS. 4A-4D provide images of different views/angles of an example of acompact, portable multi-user portable electronic device 100 thataccommodates up to four headsets H₁-H₄. FIGS. 4A and 4C illustrate aheadset H connected to the multi-user portable electronic device 100using separate microphone and earphone audio ports M, E. For example,FIG. 4A illustrates that the cable 111 of a headset H may includeindividual (e.g., discrete) microphone and earphone cables 112, 113 thatare configured to communicate microphone and earphone signals,respectively. The individual microphone and earphone audio cables 112,113 may provide increased durability in comparison with a single cablethat carries both microphone and earphone signals. Accordingly, themulti-user portable electronic device 100 may include separatemicrophone and earphone audio ports M (M₁-M₄), E (E₁-E₄) for each of theheadsets H₁-H₄. As an example, FIG. 4A illustrates a second microphoneaudio port M₂ and a second earphone audio port E₂ that may be used toreleasably connect the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and thesecond headset H₂.

FIG. 4B illustrates a view of the top external surface of the multi-userportable electronic device 100, which includes four visual indicatorsV₁-V₄ and a button (which may be the switch 101) therebetween. FIG. 4Cillustrates a side of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 thatincludes microphone and earphone audio ports (M₁ and E₁, and M₂ and E₂)for the first and second headsets H₁ and H₂, as well as a USB port(which may be the data interface 121). FIG. 4D illustrates a side of themulti-user portable electronic device 100 that is opposite the sideillustrated in FIG. 4C. In particular, FIG. 4D illustrates a side thatincludes microphone and earphone audio ports (M₃ and E₃, and M₄ and E₄)for the third and fourth headsets H₃ and H₄. Moreover, although somesubjects may become distracted if more than four subjects use themulti-user portable electronic device 100 together, it will beunderstood that, in some embodiments, more or fewer than four subjectsmay use the same multi-user portable electronic device 100simultaneously.

In the present specification, various embodiments of the inventiveconcepts have been disclosed and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible for the disclosed embodimentswithout materially departing from the teachings and advantages of theinventive concepts. The inventive concepts are defined by the followingclaims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

That which is claimed:
 1. A method for improving reading comprehension,comprising: providing a portable device with a circuit that isconcurrently in communication with a plurality of different headsets ofdifferent subjects being treated to improve reading comprehension and atleast a first microphone; electronically activating the first microphoneassociated with a first subject; electronically receiving at the circuitof the portable device an auditory speech signal of the first subjectassociated with the first subject reading aloud using the firstmicrophone; electronically altering the received auditory speech signalto generate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF)signal using the circuit of the portable device; and electronicallyadministering the first FAF signal using the circuit of the portabledevice to one of: (i) a first headset worn by the first subject and arespective headset worn by at least one other subject as the pluralityof different headsets; or (ii) the plurality of different headsets wornby different subjects but not to the first subject while the firstsubject is reading aloud to improve reading comprehension of either thefirst subject and the at least one other subject or only the differentsubjects and not the first subject.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: electronically activating a second microphone associatedwith a second subject as the at least one other subject and deactivatingthe first microphone using the portable device; electronically receivingat the circuit of the portable device an auditory speech signal of thesecond subject using the second microphone; electronically altering thereceived auditory speech signal of the second subject associated withthe second subject reading aloud to generate a second FAF signal usingthe circuit of the portable device; and electronically concurrentlyadministering the second FAF signal to at least the headsets of thefirst and second subject while the second subject is reading aloud toimprove a respective subject's reading comprehension.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the electronically administering the first FAF signalis carried out using the circuit of the portable device to the firstheadset worn by the first subject and a respective headset worn by theat least one other subject as the plurality of different headsets toelectronically administer the first FAF signal concurrently to the firstsubject and at least one other subject while the first subject isreading aloud to thereby improve the first subject's and the at leastone other subject's reading comprehension.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the electronically administering the first FAF signal is carriedout using the circuit of the portable device to the plurality ofdifferent headsets worn by the different subjects but not to the firstsubject.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronicallyadministering the first FAF signal is carried out using the circuit ofthe portable device to the plurality of different headsets worn by thedifferent subjects but not to the first subject and wherein the firstFAF signal is concurrently administered to the different subjects as theat least one other subject but not to the first subject/reader.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the electronically activating are the firstmicrophone is carried out using an externally accessible manual switchon board the portable device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theelectronically activating the first microphone is are carried out usinga remote input associated with a display that is in communication withthe portable device.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein theelectronically activating the second microphone is carried out tosubstantially concurrently deactivate the first microphone correspondingto the first subject.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein electronicallyaltering the received auditory speech signal of the first subjectcomprises: electronically converting the received analog auditory speechsignal to a digital signal in a frequency domain; electronicallyaltering the frequency of the digital signal within a range of +/−2octaves; then electronically converting the altered digital signal backto a time domain and into an analog signal to generate the first FAFsignal that is electronically administered.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein at least one of the steps of electronically converting thereceived analog signal, electronically altering the digital signal, andelectronically converting the altered digital signal is at leastpartially carried out using the circuit of the portable device.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the portable device comprises a wirelessdevice that is remote from the first headset worn by the first subjectand/or the plurality of different headsets.
 12. The method of claim 10,wherein the portable device comprises a wired device that is remote fromthe first headset worn by the first subject.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein the first microphone corresponds to the first headset worn bythe first subject.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronicallyadministering is carried out as a therapeutic treatment and either eachof the first and at least one other subject has a reading disorder oronly the different subjects have a reading disorder.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising programmably adjusting a frequency shift forthe step of electronically altering the received auditory speech signalto generate the first FAF signal, wherein the portable device comprisesor is in communication with at least one display that displays text of abook that the first subject is reading aloud.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein the first subject is a supervising adult without a readingdisorder.
 17. A system for improving reading comprehension, comprising:a first headset with a first microphone; at least one other headset incommunication with the first headset, directly or indirectly; and aportable electronic device configured to electronically communicate withthe first microphone to generate a first frequency altered auditoryspeech feedback (FAF) signal associated with an auditory speech signalreceived by the first microphone and transmit the first FAF signaleither (i) only to the at least one other headset of respective subjectsor (ii) to the first headset and the at least one other headset ofrespective subjects, while a user with the first headset is readingaloud to thereby improve reading comprehension of at least one subject.18. A multi-user portable electronic device for improving readingcomprehension for a plurality of subjects, comprising: a pitch shiftercircuit configured to generate frequency altered auditory speechfeedback (FAF) signals corresponding to auditory speech signals receivedfrom an active microphone while a user in communication with the activemicrophone is reading aloud, and to concurrently transmit the FAFsignals to a plurality of headsets of subjects to improve readingcomprehension.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable deviceincludes or is in communication with an electronic device comprising asoftware application in removable media and/or stored or accessed in anon-transitory memory of a desktop, laptop, tablet, netbook, notebookcomputer, or smart phone.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein theportable electronic device includes or is in communication with anelectronic device comprising a software application in removable mediaand/or stored or accessed in a non-transitory memory of a desktop,laptop, tablet, netbook, notebook computer, or smart phone.
 21. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the portable electronic device concurrentlytransmits first the FAF signal to the at least one other headset whileonly the user with the first headset is reading aloud into the firstmicrophone.
 22. The system of claim 17, further comprising at least onedisplay in communication with and/or onboard the portable electronicdevice configured to concurrently display text that the user with thefirst headset is reading aloud.
 23. The system of claim 17, wherein thefirst headset does not transmit the first FAF signal to the user. 24.The device of claim 18, wherein the pitch shifter circuit of themulti-user portable electronic device includes or is in communicationwith an electronic device comprising a software application in removablemedia and/or stored or accessed in a non-transitory memory of a desktop,laptop, tablet, netbook, notebook computer, or smart phone.
 25. Thedevice of claim 18, further comprising at least one display coupled tothe device and configured to concurrently display text that the userwith the active microphone is reading aloud.
 26. The device of claim 18,wherein the first headset does not transmit the FAF signals to the userwith the active microphone.